Episodes

  • Sounds of Hope

    Sounds of Hope
    Apr 1 2026
    Hope isn't always loud. Sometimes it looks like one person's quiet wish, carried on a breeze, landing somewhere it was needed. In this episode, we sit down with Cindy, a member of Voices of Our City Choir, to talk about chosen family, belonging, and the quiet, stubborn work of building a life you love. And the family you find? That's hope with roots. Pull up a chair. If these stories have moved you, become part of this work: Visit voicesofourcity.org to support Monday meals, songwriting workshops, resource assistance, and the radical belief that no one is disposable. Whether $5 or $500, every donation says: these voices matter, this work matters, YOU matter. Can't donate? Keep listening. Keep sharing. Your presence here is also essential. Thank you for walking with us through every crack in the sidewalk this season. Keep climbing toward the light. Remember—creativity is your birthright too. Keep singing, world. Produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera Hosts: Naylenie Castillo & Enrique Rivera Narration: Shairi Engle #SoundsoftheSidewalk #Voicesofourcity #SanDiegoChoir#podcast #homlessnessAwareness #musicheals #creativty#nonprofitpodcast #humanrights #rickrubin #housingcrisis#songwriting
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Sounds of Black Joy

    Sounds of Black Joy
    Mar 5 2026

    Season 3 is HERE — and we're opening with pure joy. 🎶🖤

    And we're kicking off a new season to the "Sounds of Black Joy" — our celebration of the music, stories, and community that make Voices of Our City extraordinary.

    Enrique and Naylenie sit down with five beloved choir members — Benjamin, Stacey, DeForrest, Dr. P, and Dahani — for a conversation full of laughter, music, and the kind of togetherness that reminds us why community is everything.

    Sounds of the Sidewalk is a podcast by Voices of Our City, an arts nonprofit using creativity and music to build community for people experiencing homelessness in San Diego.

    💛 Love what you hear? Rate, review, follow & download — downloading directly supports our members' voices! 🎤 If you or someone you know is struggling with housing, please reach out or join us live on Mondays @ 11am for our open rehearsal — all are welcome!

    Supported in part by the Conrad Prebys Foundation and Studio West.

    Produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera | Narration: Shairi Engle | Hosted by: Enrique Rivera & Naylenie Castillo

    #SoundsOfTheSidewalk #BlackJoy #BlackHistoryMonth #VoicesOfOurCity #SanDiego #CommunityIsEverything #MusicHeals #JoyIsResistance #PodcastsOfColor #BlackCulture

    If you would like to donate hit the link:

    ⁠https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Sounds of Reflection

    Sounds of Reflection
    Dec 23 2025
    This Season Finale episode is our gratitude made audible. To our choir family — who walks through our doors carrying nothing but gives everything. To our listeners — whether on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts — who've become not just an audience but witnesses, the other half of this deeply personal conversation. Your downloads, shares, and open hearts have proven that these voices matter and these stories deserve to exist. You are actively creating meaningful connections. Thank you. Thank YOU! As Rick Rubin writes in The Creative Act: "Creativity is not a rare ability. It is our birthright, and it's for all of us." Every week, when someone experiencing homelessness picks up a pen in our songwriting workshop, they're claiming that birthright. That's not entertainment — that's radical humanity. In this episode we reflect on a year of music-making with Voices' Music Program Manager, Natalie Bradley. If these stories have moved you, become part of this work: Visit voicesofourcity.org to support Monday meals, songwriting workshops, resource assistance, and the radical belief that no one is disposable. Whether $5 or $500, every donation says: these voices matter, this work matters, YOU matter. Can't donate? Keep listening. Keep sharing. Your presence here is also essential. Thank you for walking with us through every crack in the sidewalk this season. Keep climbing toward the light. Remember—creativity is your birthright too. Keep singing, world. Produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera Hosts: Naylenie Castillo & Enrique Rivera Narration: Shairi Engle #SoundsoftheSidewalk #Voicesofourcity #SanDiegoChoir #podcast #homlessnessAwareness #musicheals #creativty #nonprofitpodcast #humanrights #rickrubin #housingcrisis #songwriting
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Sounds of Healing

    Sounds of Healing
    Nov 26 2025

    Sounds of Healing Hosted by Enrique Rivera and Naylenie Castillo, this episode features guest Luis Enrique, who opens up about his remarkable journey of recovery. From the struggles of addiction, depression, and homelessness to the redemptive power of creativity, community, and music, Luis shares how joining a choir helped him rediscover hope and ultimately find a home

    If you're curious about how Voices can support you in your journey through housing insecurity, join us in-person every Monday @ 11am and sing along during our unique rehearsal open to the public! 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego 92103. NO SINGING EXPERIENCE or RSVP REQUIRED. (Click here for more details!)

    This podcast is supported in part by the Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative AND by listeners like YOU!

    To support Voices of Our City and members like Luis as they make their journey out of homelessness and into their next stages of growth, visit voicesofourcity.org to make your year-end, tax-deductible gift today.

    https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate

    Episode produced by: Naylenie Castillo, Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera

    Narration: Shairi Engle

    Sound Engineering and video editing: Enrique Rivera

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Sounds of Growth

    Sounds of Growth
    Oct 1 2025

    In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Wendell to explore his deep connection to the choir and the transformative role it plays in his life. From his first moments of curiosity to his ongoing evolution within the community, Wendell shares how music, fellowship, and personal growth intertwine in powerful ways. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about finding purpose, embracing change, and the beauty of belonging.

    Whether you're curious about how Voices supports individuals navigating housing insecurity or simply want to experience the power of music and connection, this episode is for you.

    Join us in person!
    Every Monday at 11am at 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego — no singing experience or RSVP required. Come sing, connect, and be part of something beautiful. (except for holidays)

    Still We Sing Benefit Concert and Creative Showcase:

    https://www.voicesofourcity.org/event-details/and-still-we-sing-benefit-concert-and-creative-showcase-from-voices-of-our-city-choir

    Supported by:
    The Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative and listeners like you.
    💛 Donate here

    https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate

    Produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera
    Narration: Shairi Engle
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • Sounds of Legacy

    Sounds of Legacy
    Sep 8 2025

    Sounds of Legacy – Special Episode: Sounds of the Sidewalk
    In this heartfelt episode, host Shairi Engle sits down with the co-producers and co-hosts of Sounds of The Sidewalk, Enrique Rivera and Naylenie, for an inspiring conversation about music, community, and resilience. Together, they explore how storytelling and song are transforming lives through the Voices of Our City Choir.

    Whether you're curious about how Voices supports individuals navigating housing insecurity or simply want to experience the power of music and connection, this episode is for you.

    Join us in person!
    Every Monday at 11am at 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego — no singing experience or RSVP required. Come sing, connect, and be part of something beautiful. (ezcept for holidays)

    Supported by:
    The Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative and listeners like you.
    💛 Donate here

    https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate

    Produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera
    Narration: Shairi Engle

    Video version: https://youtu.be/2i0CSMThYVk?si=7yBbEgBONCGetFrF
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • The sounds of a moment

    The sounds of a moment
    Aug 5 2025

    The "Sounds of a Moment" round table episode commemorates the 5th anniversary of the Voices of Our City Choir's Golden Buzzer moment on America's Got Talent. This special episode features heartfelt reflections and stories from choir members Victor Lang, Raven Jones, Steph Johnson, Dennis Garcia, and Irma Gutierrez.

    The choir originally gained national attention in 2020 with their powerful performance of "Sounds of the Sidewalk," a song born from the lived experiences of its members, many of whom have faced homelessness. Their Golden Buzzer moment, awarded by Terry Crews, was not just a recognition of musical talent but a celebration of resilience, community, and hope.

    This anniversary episode revisits that transformative moment and explores how the choir has evolved over the years—continuing to uplift lives through music and advocacy in San Diego. It's a celebration of both the past and the ongoing journey of healing and empowerment through song.

    If you're curious about how Voices can support you in your journey through housing insecurity, join us in-person every Monday @ 11am and sing along during our unique rehearsal open to the public! 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego. NO SINGING EXPERIENCE or RSVP REQUIRED. (Click here for more details!)

    This podcast is supported in part by the Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative AND by listeners like YOU!

    https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate

    Episode produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera
    Narration: Shairi Engle
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Sounds of Alchemy

    Sounds of Alchemy
    Jul 2 2025
    Ever feel fundamentally "un-danceable"? This week on Sounds of Alchemy, we dive deep into the real meaning of transformation. Forget turning lead into gold – we explore how true alchemy is about re-choreographing your life's particles, embracing everything you are, and finding new ways to move. Get ready to rethink your challenges as we learn from Karma, a master of turning life's unexpected twists into a dance worth all the gold in the world.

    Want to help lift the Voices of this choir? Please rate, review, follow and DOWNLOAD Sounds of the Sidewalk. (Downloading helps promote our member's voices!)

    If you're curious about how Voices can support you in your journey through housing insecurity, join us in-person every Monday @ 11am and sing along during our unique rehearsal open to the public! 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego. NO SINGING EXPERIENCE or RSVP REQUIRED. (Click here for more details!)

    This podcast is supported in part by the Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative AND by listeners like YOU!

    Episode produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera
    Narration: Shairi Engle
    Guest: Karma
    Hosted by: Enrique Rivera & Naylenie Castillo
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins